San Francisco: Travis Kalanick, co-founder and former CEO of ride-hailing giant Uber, has launched a new robotics startup called Atoms. The company aims to create industrial robots for industries like mining, transportation, logistics, and food production.
This announcement marks Kalanick’s latest move into technology after leaving Uber in 2017. Atoms will focus on building specialized robots to handle specific physical tasks, especially in sectors that depend on manual labor and repetitive work.
According to reports, Atoms plans to develop robotic systems that can boost productivity and safety in difficult work environments. In mining, robots could assist with extraction tasks and manage heavy machinery in dangerous areas. In transportation and logistics, automation could improve warehouse management, product movement, and supply-chain processes.
The food industry will also be a major focus. Robots could take on roles such as food preparation, packaging, and kitchen tasks, potentially helping businesses deal with labor shortages and increasing operational costs.
Atoms reportedly emerged from City Storage Systems, a company Kalanick founded that previously created the ghost kitchen platform CloudKitchens. The robotics project is believed to have been in the works for several years before its public announcement.
Kalanick has mentioned that while the last few decades saw a surge in software innovation, the next wave of technology will center on automating physical work through robotics and artificial intelligence. He believes advancements in AI, sensors, and computing power are opening new paths to change traditional industries.
Industry analysts indicate that interest in robotics is rising quickly as companies around the world look to enhance efficiency and lessen their reliance on manual labor. Both startups and large tech companies are investing significantly in automation solutions across manufacturing, logistics, and service sectors.
Even though Atoms is still in its early days, the venture points to a wider trend of incorporating robotics into daily industrial operations. If it succeeds, the company could help shape the future of automated work environments.
